Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government has declared a holiday on Tuesday for government, semi-government and educational institutions in the city in connection with the conclusion of the week-long Onam celebrations by the Tourism Department. The holiday has been declared under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

The cultural procession will begin at 4 pm on Tuesday, starting from Manaveeyam Veedhi and ending at East Fort. Governor Rajendra Arlekar will flag it off. To announce the start of the procession, Minister PA Mohammed Riyas will hand over the 'kombu', a traditional instrument, to the chief artiste, accompanied by the sound of 51 conches.

Around 60 floats will feature in the parade, along with cultural performances by about 1,000 artistes. The floats will highlight government development projects, Kerala’s heritage, cinema, literature, women’s empowerment, health and science and technology. All have been prepared in line with the state’s green protocol.

Art forms from Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will also be showcased. The Indian Army band, along with 91 visual and audio art forms, will add colour to the celebrations.

Performances will be staged before the VVIP pavilion at the Public Library, the VIP pavilion at University College, and on a special stage near the Museum Gate. A dedicated viewing area for tourists will be set up near the VVIP pavilion. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, cabinet ministers, MLAs and other representatives will attend, Minister V Sivankutty told reporters.

Traffic restrictions

Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner Thomson Jose announced that traffic curbs will be in place from 2 pm on Tuesday. Parking will not be allowed on the roads along the procession route, including Kowdiar, Vellayambalam, Museum, LMS, Statue, Overbridge, Pazhavangadi, East Fort, Vettimuricha kotta, Mithranandapuram, West Fort, Eanchakkal and Kallummoodu.

Vehicles will not be allowed to enter the Eanchakkal bypass towards Mithranandapuram or Attakulangara. Passengers heading to the railway station or airport have been advised to plan their travel. Drivers must display their mobile phone numbers on parked vehicles.

Diversions

  • Vehicles from Kazhakkoottam to the city via Ulloor should take the Medical College–General Hospital–Bakery flyover to Thampanoor.
  • Traffic from MC Road to Thampanoor and East Fort should take the Mannanthala–Kudappanakkunnu–Peroorkada–Edapazhanji–Vazhuthacaud–Thycaud route or the Ambalamukku–Oolampara–Edapazhanji–Vazhuthacaud–Thycaud route.
  • Vehicles from Pattom should take the Pottakkuzhi–Murinjapalam–Kumarapuram–Kannammoola–Naalumukku–General Hospital–Bakery flyover, or for smaller vehicles, the Marappalam–Kowdiar–Sasthamangalam–Edapazhanji–SMC–Thycaud route.
  • Vehicles from Peroorkada should take the Pipinmoodu–Sasthamangalam–Edapazhanji–SMC–Vazhuthacaud–Thycaud route.
  • Vehicles from Pettah should take the Vanchiyoor–Uppidamoodu–Thampanoor flyover–Killipalam route.
  • Traffic from Thiruvallam should take the Attakkulangara–Killipalam–Choorakkattupalayam route.
  • Vehicles from East Fort to Chakkai should use the Attakkulangara–Enchakkal–Chakkai route.
  • Vehicles from East Fort to Thampanoor, Karamana and Pappanamcode should take the Attakkulangara–Killipalam route.
  • Buses from East Fort should be parked in rows along the Attakkulangara–Manacaud and Attakkulangara–Killipalam roads before operating.
  • Vehicles travelling from Thampanoor to East Fort should use the Thampanoor flyover and Killipalam bridge.